Trumps blundering around with tariffs has cost us credibility with all of our trading partners. It is based on amateurish and ill-informed reasoning by an unqualified, politically driven staff. They have no grasp of 21'st century economics and trade policies, and have fired qualified staff that was in place when Trump took office. We are looking at long term damage here that may never be mended or rebuilt with the Global economy. Each day it is increasingly clear that Trump and his outlandish team, are inadvertently tearing down the the fabric of our democracy, rendering our country unable to compete financially, and unable to continue as a leader in the free world. We may be close or already past the point where any of this is fixable by the next administration, given the limited time frame for elected parties. Congress needs to step in and fix all of this, but they continue with their derealization of our current situation. Not looking good at this point on any front.
The simple fact of US automobiles (for example) not selling well in most countries is that they are still gas guzzlers compared to automobiles manufactured in Europe and Asia. Gasoline prices in the majority of countries are much more expensive.
When one can buy better for less that does the job required, why buy an overpriced fuel hog behemoth with reliability issues? A lot of people in our own country have strayed away from the U.S. brands; it's not just foreign sales.
Simply put, it seems that everyone but Trump, his lackeys, and the complicit Congress think that the tariffs are a terrible idea, and are only resulting in a trade war which will do no one any good. Congress should draw back the power that they ceded with an explanation to we, the people, as to why they abdicated their responsibility to implement tariffs. One bat-guano crazy individual should not have this much power.
With all due respect, and despite Mr. Gale’s excellent credentials, I must admit that I didn't expect to read a doom and gloom article on tariffs on this site, when there is uplifting news on the subject: A bipartisan group of 14 senators are sponsoring the Grassley-Cantwell bill, "The Trade Review Act of 2025," which would reign in presidential power on tariffs."
The seven Republicans are: Grassely (IA), Moran (KS), Murkowski (AK), McConnell (KY), Tillis (NC), Collins (ME), and Todd Young (R-IN). The seven Democrats are: Cantwell (WA), Klobuchar (MN), Warner (VA), Bennet (CO), Welch (VT), Blumenthal (CT), and Coons (DE).
"Under this legislation, the president must notify Congress of the increase in the tariff within 48 hours, but provide an explanation why he wants to do it, and an analysis of its potential impact on American businesses and consumers. Within 60 days, Congress must pass a joint resolution of approval on the new tariff, otherwise all new tariffs on imports expire after that deadline."
It doesn't get much better than that, because it not only restores Congressional power to regulate interstate and foreign commerce, but these seven Republicans are showing they won't be "cowed" by Trump, who doesn't seem to care about causing the US economy to tank, while prices rise, and small businesses become insolvent; devastating global financial markets, and creating worldwide monetary instability.
The big question is whether this fissure of Republican defiance against Trump, will erupt into an outright rebellion? I sure hope so!
It's not just the "policy," it's his entire presidency! I have begun implementing very long "time-outs" each day when I don't allow myself to read the news, because it not only sickens me, but I believe that even reading what Trump says, causes brain cell loss. I actually haven't heard his voice his 2017.
Trumps blundering around with tariffs has cost us credibility with all of our trading partners. It is based on amateurish and ill-informed reasoning by an unqualified, politically driven staff. They have no grasp of 21'st century economics and trade policies, and have fired qualified staff that was in place when Trump took office. We are looking at long term damage here that may never be mended or rebuilt with the Global economy. Each day it is increasingly clear that Trump and his outlandish team, are inadvertently tearing down the the fabric of our democracy, rendering our country unable to compete financially, and unable to continue as a leader in the free world. We may be close or already past the point where any of this is fixable by the next administration, given the limited time frame for elected parties. Congress needs to step in and fix all of this, but they continue with their derealization of our current situation. Not looking good at this point on any front.
The simple fact of US automobiles (for example) not selling well in most countries is that they are still gas guzzlers compared to automobiles manufactured in Europe and Asia. Gasoline prices in the majority of countries are much more expensive.
When one can buy better for less that does the job required, why buy an overpriced fuel hog behemoth with reliability issues? A lot of people in our own country have strayed away from the U.S. brands; it's not just foreign sales.
Simply put, it seems that everyone but Trump, his lackeys, and the complicit Congress think that the tariffs are a terrible idea, and are only resulting in a trade war which will do no one any good. Congress should draw back the power that they ceded with an explanation to we, the people, as to why they abdicated their responsibility to implement tariffs. One bat-guano crazy individual should not have this much power.
It's all backwards and does not make sense, the economy will just cost more for eerything, Trump's a mess, I mean no brains.
You're actually being gently kind in evaluating Trump's performance.
With all due respect, and despite Mr. Gale’s excellent credentials, I must admit that I didn't expect to read a doom and gloom article on tariffs on this site, when there is uplifting news on the subject: A bipartisan group of 14 senators are sponsoring the Grassley-Cantwell bill, "The Trade Review Act of 2025," which would reign in presidential power on tariffs."
The seven Republicans are: Grassely (IA), Moran (KS), Murkowski (AK), McConnell (KY), Tillis (NC), Collins (ME), and Todd Young (R-IN). The seven Democrats are: Cantwell (WA), Klobuchar (MN), Warner (VA), Bennet (CO), Welch (VT), Blumenthal (CT), and Coons (DE).
"Under this legislation, the president must notify Congress of the increase in the tariff within 48 hours, but provide an explanation why he wants to do it, and an analysis of its potential impact on American businesses and consumers. Within 60 days, Congress must pass a joint resolution of approval on the new tariff, otherwise all new tariffs on imports expire after that deadline."
It doesn't get much better than that, because it not only restores Congressional power to regulate interstate and foreign commerce, but these seven Republicans are showing they won't be "cowed" by Trump, who doesn't seem to care about causing the US economy to tank, while prices rise, and small businesses become insolvent; devastating global financial markets, and creating worldwide monetary instability.
The big question is whether this fissure of Republican defiance against Trump, will erupt into an outright rebellion? I sure hope so!
“The whole policy is a debacle based on a series of misconceptions and fumbled steps.”
Trump…….is a debacle based on a series of misconceptions, fumbled steps, extreme stupidity, and a very severe case of mental illness!
It's not just the "policy," it's his entire presidency! I have begun implementing very long "time-outs" each day when I don't allow myself to read the news, because it not only sickens me, but I believe that even reading what Trump says, causes brain cell loss. I actually haven't heard his voice his 2017.
Thank you for a clear explanation and for tying together parts of tariffs and taxes.